Homes are more affordable these days, the selection is abundant, and interest rates are still fairly low. For some people, it could well be a great time to buy. But as too many struggling borrowers now realize, the cost of owning a home is hardly limited to paying the mortgage. There are a host...

If you've been thinking about buying a home, especially if you're a first-time buyer, folks in the real estate industry want to send you a message: Come on in, the water's fine. This may indeed be a great time for you to buy. But learn about common buying errors before you jump in. 1. Not getting...

Two years ago, Jason Pietrucha read the foreclosure writing on the wall. The mortgage broker saw California's growing default rate and prepared for the home-loan tsunami to hit Illinois. Switching to real estate sales, Pietrucha deals almost exclusively in properties in various stages of mortgage...

With some home builders and developers buckling under the strain of slow sales, tight credit and falling prices, buyers worry about finding a financially sound seller that will be around to fulfill future promises. "The answer is to ask, ask, ask," said Nick Retsinas, director of the Joint Center...

Housing prices have slipped in many neighborhoods. But that doesn't mean it's easy for everyone to become a homeowner. Many young singles and couples still struggle to obtain even the most basic entry-level home. To qualify, they must first slash their spending and build a savings account. "Lots...

Some question to consider when deciding whether to buy a second home: Do I know the market? Most second-home buyers have time on their sides, even more so in this buyer's market, says Margaret S. Canfield, an agent with Keefe Real Estate in Lake Geneva, Wis. Renting for a couple seasons is one...

You bought the house and secured the keys. Now what? Real estate expert Sid Davis says maintenance crises, financial demands and renovation disasters can become overwhelming to inexperienced property owners. "They were renters before, so whenever they had a problem, the landlord or supervisor would...

Today, buying a home may feel a lot like buying stocks: You'd prefer to wait until the market finally bottoms out. The only problem is getting the timing right. The price of existing single-family homes in 20 major metro areas has declined every month since September, according to the Standard...